Top Award Categories for Pinewood Derby's

Have you been trying to think of some new and creative award categories for your next Pinewood Derby® event? Or maybe you just want to know what the most popular Pinewood Derby award categories are. This exhaustive list will fulfill your every need. We have spent a great deal of time creating awards for Pinewood Derby’s and a lot of time researching and talking to people about what awards they use for their group or organization.

Speed is the obvious first choice in Pinewood Derby awards since a derby is first and foremost a race. But the award categories should not stop there; nor should they be downplayed. It is our belief that a 1st place speed trophy should be the same size as a 1st place appearance one. After all, you can spend just as much, if not more time, making a car look good as making it go fast.

These offer the best variety of awards for any Pinewood Derby® and are often considered the standard amongst race organizers.

  • Speed
  • Workmanship
  • Originality
  • Appearance

There are however many other Pinewood Derby award categories that groups use. Here is a list of award categories used by cub scouts, Royal Rangers, YMCA’s (Y Guides, Adventure Guides) and many other groups. They are listed in descending order with the most frequently used at the top.

  1. Best Paint Design
  2. Most Futuristic
  3. Most Original
  4. Most Realistic
  5. Fastest Looking Car
  6. Most Patriotic
  7. Most Unique
  8. Best Design
  9. Funniest
  10. Most Creative
  11. Most Humorous
  12. Sportiest
  13. Best Use Of Color
  14. Best Wedge Car 
  15. Best Workmanship
  16. Most Aerodynamic
  17. Most Artistic
  18. Most Colorful
  19. Best Craftsmanship
  20. Best Detail
  21. Best Driver In the Car
  22. Best Funny Car
  23. Best Of Show
  24. Best Racer
  25. Best Vehicle Not A Car
  26. Coolest Design
  27. Fast and Furious
  28. Fastest Car In The Pack
  29. Judge`s Favorite
  30. Most Awesome
  31. Most Decals
  32. Most Unique
  33. Shiniest Paint Job
  34. Smoothest Finish
  35. Strangest Shape
  36. Kid’s Choice (where the children themselves pick a winner)
  37. Best Accessories 
  38. Best Block Of Wood
  39. Top Movie Or TV Show Themed Car
  40. Best Color Scheme
  41. Best Jungle Car 
  42. Best Law Enforcement Car 
  43. Best Sports Theme
  44. Best Use Of Imagination
  45. Best Engineered
  46. Best Military Vehicle
  47. Best Flames 
  48. Best Fuel Economy (slowest car)
  49. Best Imagination
  50. Best Use Of theme (assuming your group has a theme)
  51. Best Wood Carving
  52. Coolest Paint Job 
  53. Best Truck
  54. Best Off Road Vehicle
  55. Crowd Favorite
  56. Fastest Car In The Den
  57. Fastest Car In The Outpost
  58. Most Complicated Wood Carving
  59. Ranger Derby Spirit Award
  60. Most Creative Use Of Material
  61. Most Cub Scout Pride
  62. Most Innovative Design
  63. Most Likely To Be On Front Cover of Motor Trend
  64. Most Scouty
  65. Most Sporty
  66. Most Colorful Paint Job
  67. Scariest Car 
  68. Shiniest Car 
  69. Simplest design
  70. Tallest Car 
  71. Thinnest Car
  72. Most Bling
  73. Prettiest Car
  74. Strangest Shape
  75. Spirit of Pinewood Award
  76. Wildest Looking
  77. Muscle Car
  78. Plainest Looking
  79. Weirdest Looking
  80. Most Flashing Lights
  81. Most Lights
  82. Best Resemblance to a NASCAR
  83. Best Resemblance to an INDY Car
  84. Best Resemblance to an F1 Car
  85. Best Resemblance to a Monster Truck
  86. Most Cartoonish
  87. Least Wood Left On Car
  88. Best Classic Car Design
  89. Best Street Rod
  90. Best Drag Racer
  91. Best Use of Advertising
  92. Peoples Choice Award
  93. Racers Choice Award